In this review of Arabica coffee, we’re going to analyze the world’s favorite coffee bean. This process involved testing different brands to select the ones that stand out the most.
Even though this task is deliciously hard, we narrowed it down to 6 great choices. The best Arabica coffee brands, according to our trusted palate, won a spot on this list.
The characteristics that stood out included the following:
- Taste
- Freshness
- Fragrance
- Budget-friendly
We’ve even gone a step further to explain a bit of the history and sub-types of Arabica coffee available. Keep reading to find out all you need to know about this famous coffee variety.
What is Arabica Coffee?
Whenever you’re shopping for coffee, you’ll come across slogans like 100% Arabica! Coffee shops will advertise this too.
So what do you know about Arabica coffee, and why is everyone nuts about it?
Arabica was the first coffee bean to ever be consumed by humans. Its origins go back centuries in Ethiopia.
There are two main types of coffee: Arabica and Robusta coffee.
Arabica is the most consumed type, and for good reason. It has a couple of subtypes which we’ll look at in a moment.
Arabica coffee is popular because it has more:
- Flavor
- Complexity
- Lower acidity
- Less bitter aftertaste
Currently, Arabica is cultivated worldwide. Latin America, Central Africa, and Southeast Asia are the main producing regions.
Of all the coffee cultivated in the world, about 75% is Arabica.
It takes seven years for the Arabica coffee plant to grow and mature properly. It can put up with low temperatures during the cold times of year. However, they are difficult to cultivate.
The flavor and cost of the coffee are determined by several factors. These are usually mentioned on the packet or tin of the coffee so that the users are well aware of its specifications.
Types of Arabica Coffee
Now that we know that Arabica coffee has many varieties, let’s get down to the details. Each of them has gained quite a name from their memorable taste and richness.
Bourbon
Bourbon took its name from the island it was first cultivated in. Although the tree resembles the typical conical plant, it yields 20-30% more fruit. When brewed, Bourbon gives a much richer taste.
Kona
This variant of Arabica coffee grows in the Kona region of Hawaii from the plantations located on the Big Island. The mineral-rich soil and unique climate sprout a coffee yield that is flavorful with an unmatched taste.
Kona is the most expensive Arabica in the world due to its taste and the cost of renting land in Hawaii.
Catuai
Catuai is a mix of Caturra and Mundo Novo. Both are a type of Arabica coffee. Caturra requires greater care for fertilization, making it a demanding plant.
Typica
Typica brings you a delicious yield of coffee beans that are high in quality. The advantage of Typica is that it can be grown anywhere where conditions are favorable to grow coffee.
Geisha
Geisha is a lesser-known variant of Arabica that is cultivated in Panama. The coffee is harvested at a height of 1,400 meters and produces lower yields than other coffee types.
Caturra
This is a version of Bourbon, and it is delicate. Caturra requires special care, but compared to Bourbon, it gives a higher yield. The plant of Caturra is found in Brazil and produces a lighter taste.
Blue Mountain
Blue Mountain is grown in Jamaica. You can be guaranteed a healthier yield, as this variant of Arabica is resistant to the coffee berry disease that ruins coffee crops.
These Arabica coffee types are the ones used by many popular brands.
Next, we will introduce you to the best brands out there so that you can buy your Arabica coffee with more confidence every time!
The Best Arabica Coffee Brands
Due to the many variations and brands out there, it gets challenging to choose the best Arabica coffee brand. We are going to help you make the most delicious decision.
We have the best Arabica coffee brands that are every bit worthy of being used for making a cup of coffee.
Café de Loja
Café de Loja is a brand that appeals to coffee lovers of every type. It offers everything to everyone! They have decades of experience in producing coffee that satiates coffee cravings. Their quality has made this brand popular and much sought after.
The captivating Café de Loja coffee makes use of the freshest beans to elevate the taste and soothe the palate of any drinker. It has a deep, creamy, and rich flavor that has a fruity hint to it that makes people yearn for more. It is this crisp and fresh taste that sets Café de Loja apart from all others.
Your mood automatically lifts with a sip of this coffee that boosts your energy instantly. Café de Loja is known for being consistent with its quality and taste. You can brew it in any way you want without the fear of an unpleasant bitter aftertaste.
Pros
- Hand-picked cherries
- Maintains scientific standards
- A crisp and rich taste
Cons
- Some people find it to be too strong
Cafe Don Pablo Gourmet Coffee
With a low acidity content, Café Don Pablo is perfect for people with sensitive stomachs. The low acid content ensures you a smoother drink that most coffees are unable to offer. You can rest assured of the high quality and fresh produce by this renowned brand.
They bring you roasted and sealed packages that keep the flavor of the coffee intact.
The subtle organic coffee brand has Arabica beans that come from Honduras and are certified GMO-free.
There are no additives in the coffee, reinforcing the health benefits that this coffee offers. It is grown in a sustainable environment, using unused coffee cherries and coffee plant stems as compost for the next harvest.
Don Pablo has a strong and bold taste with a hint of chocolate, honey, and caramel. The strong and rich taste creates a slightly bitter aftertaste that can be reduced with the use of a spoonful of sugar. You can buy medium or dark roast beans to prepare a cup of coffee to your liking.
Pros
- Organic brand
- A creamy and sweet taste
- Maintains the natural taste through medium to dark roast
Cons
- Bitter aftertaste
Arabella Coffee
Another trusted Arabica coffee brand is Arabella coffee that is devoured by any coffee lover. Not only is the coffee known for its taste but also its affordability. The cost-effective coffee is produced by farmers that take greater care of the environment and the drinkers.
Arabella is an excellent coffee that gets you on your feet in the morning. The refreshing and invigorating coffee brews a strong cup of coffee that can have its taste amped up with the addition of other flavors. You can use lemon, cedar, or bell pepper to elevate your drinking experience.
It has a captivating aroma that hooks the drinkers in addition to the many health advantages it brings. It is an organic coffee that is free from any chemical or preservative that could cause health issues.
Pros
- Strong taste and superior quality
- Stimulating effect
- Affordable
Cons
- The coffee might be too strong for some people
Lifeboost Coffee
Lifeboost coffee is the best of them all, owing to the freshly roasted beans that produce a rich chocolate-caramel aroma. The GMO-free beans are low in acidity and have a balanced flavor that no other Arabica coffee beans can match.
The organic beans are grown on scenic slopes of Nicaragua that are known for their unspoiled climate and rich volcanic soil.
It is low in acidity and has complex flavors as the coffee cherries get adequate ripening time. Dried in the sun, the beans are protected from the mold and mildew that humid temperatures cause.
Lifeboost offers you a flavorful coffee experience that is loaded with health benefits. They give you ample reason to stick to a coffee brand that is all about you. With so much to offer, Lifeboost is a bit pricier, but it is worth every cent!
Pros
- Rich taste
- Low in acidity
- Balanced taste that few offer
Cons
- Costly
Real Good Coffee
The name says it all – Real Good Coffee brews you a perfect cup of coffee that is delectably flavorful. They have decades of experience in producing high-end beans.
They come from Central and South America, and they are then roasted to perfection in Seattle.
Its range of coffee and admiration received by coffee lovers give the brand its distinct reputation.
With a sweet taste attributed to hazelnut and brown sugar with a plum tinge, Real Good Coffee has no bitter aftertaste. You can use any coffee brewing method, as each will produce a creamy cup of coffee like no other.
The hand-picked cherries are left to ripen appropriately before being plucked. The defective ones are discarded immediately. Real Good Coffee works its magic by helping you spring to your feet when you need to. They do this without making their coffee overpowering.
Pros
- Uses natural additives to augment the taste
- Affordable
- Creamy and flavorful
Cons
- Very strong
Tim Hortons Original Blend
We will end our list of the best Arabica coffee brands with Tim Hortons, which has perfected its coffee with decades of experience in the coffee world. The unforgettable taste and huge fan base speak for its exquisite taste and quality.
Using a secret recipe, Tim Hortons continues to attract drinkers with its mild taste that is light on your tastebuds and stomach. It uses coarsely ground beans that produce a brain-stimulating effect. They have created a very balanced flavor, and the bittersweet flavor gives you a taste of both worlds.
Tim Hortons’ coffee has maintained years of charming its drinkers by continuing to enhance its flavors. The crisp and caramel taste jolts up the reflexes to allow you to carry out your daily chores with unparalleled zeal.
They also offer instant coffee products for those times when you need a quicker boost.
Pros
- Renowned brand
- No bitter aftertaste
- Reliable and affordable
Cons
- The coffee pods break while brewing
We have covered some vest Arabica coffee brands above. Now, we’ll move on to the characteristics that help you determine the best Arabica coffee.
What Makes Arabica Coffee Brands So Good?
Arabica coffee is arguably the best among the kinds of coffee available. It has a unique taste compared to the other two main types, Robusta coffee and Liberica coffee, making it a more favorable choice.
Quality of the Soil
The taste of coffee is affected significantly by the type of soil used for planting. Arabica coffee grown in Brazil or Indonesia has a different taste and quality than coffee from any other country.
Shade
The amount of shade provided to the coffee leaves also impacts the quality of the coffee. Coffee grown in areas with lower temperatures take more time to ripen but has a richer flavor.
Mode of Harvesting
Although hand-picking coffee cherries is a conventional way, it is also the most effective one. There is no risk of damaging the cherries or picking the unripe ones. Other factors that affect the coffee’s quality are further processes such as sorting, shipping, and roasting.
All Arabica coffee is popular for several reasons. These reasons include the exquisite espresso blends that the coffee makes. You can instantly prepare a cup of flavorful coffee for yourself that has a mind-soothing aroma and takes your taste buds on a heavenly journey.
The above factors will help you in judging the best coffee and making a wise buying decision.
Conclusion
Arabica has a lot of good reasons that make it the most consumed coffee. It has an unconventional taste that is augmented by the use of natural harvesting methods. This makes it a healthier and more favorable option.
The variety of brands and their means of production give you ample coffee choices, so that your coffee journey is unforgettable.
The Arabica coffee brands above are some of the best options you have on the market. Whichever roast you choose, even if it’s one of their instant coffee blends, they’ll be true to their promise of elevating your coffee-drinking experience!
